Hi, Friend,
When it comes to dementia, Alzheimer's, and other brain disorders, it often feels like we have more questions than answers.
Why is it that of the more than 5.8 million Americans who have Alzheimer's disease, more than 2/3 of them are women?
What role do hormones play? How important is gut health?
How can lifestyle modifications, started years and even decades before symptoms typically appear, help offset these diseases?
What lifestyle changes - in the areas of nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management - can benefit someone who already has a diagnosis?
This week, I listened to this podcast discussion about the gut-brain axis and women's health with Dr. Sara Gottfried, a board certified gynecologist and functional medicine specialist whose work I've followed for a couple of years. It's a short discussion that I think is a good introduction to her work, the field of functional medicine, and its approach to look for a root cause of a condition rather than simply addressing symptoms with medications.
I have a particular interest in this topic because Alzheimer's and dementia have touched my family in recent years. What I've learned from reading and researching these diseases is that even though two people may share the same diagnosis, their onset may have different origins.
This lengthy fact book from the Alzheimer's Association outlines what is known, based on research.
And more studies are being conducted all the time. Many studies show that regular cardio exercise benefits the brain and improves cognition. Another recent study shows that resistance, or weight training, also can help.
I've also recently discovered the Women's Brain Health Initiative, which I admit has more information posted than I've had a chance to review. I'm looking forward to diving even more into their research.
So how much does brain health and cognitive impairment concern you? I'd love to hear your thoughts, as well as resources you've discovered. You can hit reply and send me a note.
With grace and space for a healthier you,
amy
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